Mosab Omar Khalil, 23

Civil engineering student, Islamic University

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"During my university studies, I discover every day that we are very far from international standards."

When I graduated from high school, I was admitted to pursue my education in a European university, but I could not travel due to the blockade. This led me to register at the Islamic University.

I face many obstacles. The most important of these is the interrupted and limited electrical supply, which forces me to go to coffee shops to have access to a computer and to study. This of course entails extra daily costs.

During my university studies, I discover every day that we are very far from international standards. We live with closure. For example, the central library of the university serves 10,000 students but has no access to resources on new scientific innovations, which puts us behind the world's progress.

As I am near the completion of my studies, I need to develop a graduation project, but there are no materials available especially in the field of construction. I must think of alternatives to carry out my engineering project and this affects its quality.

Since September 2000, Israel has banned all movement between Gaza and the West Bank by students and academics.

Knowledge among teachers also does not keep up with the progress of science in the world. There are no scholarships to outside conferences or delegations to Gaza. This gives us the impression that the materials we study are old and the level of knowledge among academic professors is low. In 1995, we were one of the finest local universities specializing in engineering. Today, our career opportunities are limited in Gaza and outside due to our poor level of knowledge resulting from the blockade.

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